David Flandro, Global Head of Business Intelligence, Julian Alovisi, Assistant Vice President and Lucy Dalimonte, Senior Vice PresidentContact

The trend of increasing non-peak zone insured losses has coincided with rapid economic growth in emerging economies. During the last decade, developing nations have driven global economic growth, symbolized by China becoming the second-largest economy in the world. Increasingly stable economic and socio-political conditions in many countries in Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Africa have supported growing investment in these regions because of the attractive opportunities for companies seeking long-term growth.

In contrast to 2010, there were no meaningful natural catastrophe losses for 2011 in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE); and, therefore, they did not impact pricing. Catastrophe excess of loss rates on line in the region were flat to down 5 percent for loss-free programs at the January 1, 2012, renewal on an exposure-adjusted basis. Primary insurance rates/premiums fell slightly due to competition and the current economic climate. Pricing is expected to remain flat in 2012.

Directors and officers (D&O) insurance has grown steadily in popularity since it was introduced in Poland 15 years ago. Accompanied by a rise in risk-aware corporate leadership, D&O insurance has evolved from an unknown product in the mid-1990s to a near necessity during periods of economic instability.

Reinsurance rates were driven by loss history for carriers in Central and Eastern Europe at the January 1, 2011 renewal. Consequently, it is difficult to point to a standard rate experience in this region.

Heavy rain has triggered severe floods in parts of central and eastern Europe since mid-May, killing at least 18 people, inundating homes and businesses and causing widespread damage and disruption. Parts of Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic have been flooded after days of heavy rain burst river defenses and inundated low-lying areas. The heavy rain was accompanied by strong winds, causing power outages and transportation disruption. Reports said southern Poland was the worst-affected area after the Vistula River burst its banks. Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the damage caused by the flooding could cost around EUR2.6 billion (USD3.2 billion).

Heavy rain has triggered severe floods in parts of central and eastern Europe over the last week, killing at least nine people, inundating homes and businesses and causing widespread damage and disruption. Parts of Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovak Republic have been flooded after days of heavy rain burst river banks and inundated low-lying areas. The heavy rain was accompanied by strong winds, causing power outages and transportation disruption. Reports said southern Poland was worst-affected after the Vistula River burst its banks. Poland’s Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, said the damage caused by the flooding could cost more than EUR2 billion (USD2.5 billion).

The renewals season was relatively stable in the CEE countries, with very little change in excess of loss pricing (XOL) on risks without losses. Average rates for XOL property cat risks with losses rose by 5 percent to 10 percent. Average rates for XOL Motor Liability and General Liability risks with losses were generally flat to 5 percent higher. Risk XOL business was under heavy pricing pressure due to the strong availability of capacity in the market and the generally benign loss experience of recent years. For catastrophe excess of loss lines there was pressure from the market to increase retentions as frequency has increased.